Crist courts Democrats for possible run for governor

Former Governor Charlie Crist goes table-to-table to greet people during the 5th annual Marion County Democratic Club's "Proud to be a Democrat" dinner at the Ocala Hilton in Ocala on Sunday. Bruce Ackerman)

Cluster said that Crist, a Republican until just a few years ago, follows his convictions. “He always stood up for what he believes in, regardless of his party,” she said.

Even as a devoted Democrat, Cluster said she voted for Crist for governor in 2006 before he switched parties.

About one hour, and 25 tables, later, Crist was introduced by Jim Williams, a former governor and lieutenant governor. The 87-year-old Williams’ humor and tales of Florida’s political past eventually led to Crist in the warm banquet room.

Crist stepped to the podium and yelled: “I’m proud to be a Democrat.”

A thunderous roar swept through the large room filled with 250 Democrats. “You always were (a Democrat), but you just didn’t know it yet,” a woman in the crowd shouted.

Crist said he is concerned about Scott’s commitment to education, considering he has cut $1 billion in his two-plus years on the job.

“Education is the key to our economy,” he said. He later noted that “we need common sense, instead of nonsense,” in Tallahassee.

During his speech, Crist told stories of his visits with Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Despite the political rally feel at the event, Crist would not unveil whether he will take a run at Scott in 2014.

Marion County Democrats are vowing to take back some seats in the next few election cycles. There is only one Democrat, City Councilwoman Mary Sue Rich, in any major political office among Ocala, Marion or constitutional officers.

Reginald E. Landers Jr., the local Democratic Party chairman, said the goal is to get more candidates in office “for the betterment of our community.”

Before he was governor, Crist served as attorney general, a state senator and education commissioner.

Instead of running for a second term as governor, Crist decided in 2009 to make a run for the U.S. Senate being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez.

But after trailing during the Republican primary election, Crist decided to run as an independent. He eventually lost in the 2010 general election to Marco Rubio.

By last December, Crist’s evolution was complete when he announced that he was joining the Democratic Party.

Bruce Seaman, a Democratic Party member and an Awake Marion member, said just a few years ago he was blogging about “Charlie the chameleon” and “weather vane Charlie” for switching parties.

“Now, I want to see where he’s going to come down” in terms of Republican and Democratic issues.

Former Ocala Police Chief Sam Williams, a Democrat, said, “We’ll see how the cards play out” if Crist attempts a run for governor.

<p>Charlie Crist on Sunday appeared to be like a man on the campaign trail, making a stop at the Ocala Hilton to speak to the Marion County Democratic Party.</p><p>When he arrived at the annual Proud to be a Democrat dinner, Crist, the former Republican governor of Florida from 2007-11, went table to table, shaking hands and telling stories.</p><p>He first spoke with Mike Sizemore, a former Marion County Commission candidate, and then slid to another table where he posed for photographs.</p><p>As he headed to the third table, an excited woman stepped to him and asked: “Are you running for governor?”</p><p>“I'm seriously considering it,” Crist replied.</p><p>When a reporter followed up with a similar question about his rumored run for governor, Crist said, “No announcement tonight.”</p><p>Minutes later, Crist talked with Betty Cluster, 80, who wore a pink “Pink Slip Rick” T-shirt, referring to Republican Gov. Rick Scott.</p><p>Cluster said that Crist, a Republican until just a few years ago, follows his convictions. “He always stood up for what he believes in, regardless of his party,” she said.</p><p>Even as a devoted Democrat, Cluster said she voted for Crist for governor in 2006 before he switched parties.</p><p>About one hour, and 25 tables, later, Crist was introduced by Jim Williams, a former governor and lieutenant governor. The 87-year-old Williams' humor and tales of Florida's political past eventually led to Crist in the warm banquet room.</p><p>Crist stepped to the podium and yelled: “I'm proud to be a Democrat.”</p><p>A thunderous roar swept through the large room filled with 250 Democrats. “You always were (a Democrat), but you just didn't know it yet,” a woman in the crowd shouted.</p><p>Crist said he is concerned about Scott's commitment to education, considering he has cut $1 billion in his two-plus years on the job.</p><p>“Education is the key to our economy,” he said. He later noted that “we need common sense, instead of nonsense,” in Tallahassee.</p><p>During his speech, Crist told stories of his visits with Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Despite the political rally feel at the event, Crist would not unveil whether he will take a run at Scott in 2014.</p><p>Marion County Democrats are vowing to take back some seats in the next few election cycles. There is only one Democrat, City Councilwoman Mary Sue Rich, in any major political office among Ocala, Marion or constitutional officers.</p><p>Reginald E. Landers Jr., the local Democratic Party chairman, said the goal is to get more candidates in office “for the betterment of our community.”</p><p>Before he was governor, Crist served as attorney general, a state senator and education commissioner.</p><p>Instead of running for a second term as governor, Crist decided in 2009 to make a run for the U.S. Senate being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez.</p><p>But after trailing during the Republican primary election, Crist decided to run as an independent. He eventually lost in the 2010 general election to Marco Rubio.</p><p>By last December, Crist's evolution was complete when he announced that he was joining the Democratic Party.</p><p>Bruce Seaman, a Democratic Party member and an Awake Marion member, said just a few years ago he was blogging about “Charlie the chameleon” and “weather vane Charlie” for switching parties.</p><p>“Now, I want to see where he's going to come down” in terms of Republican and Democratic issues.</p><p>Former Ocala Police Chief Sam Williams, a Democrat, said, “We'll see how the cards play out” if Crist attempts a run for governor.</p>